MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

What MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation does

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on science museum located at 125 State Street in Santa Barbara, California, operating on a 50-year lease from the City of Santa Barbara in a 25,000-square-foot, LEED Gold certified Barry Berkus-designed building. The museum opened on February 25, 2017 and serves approximately 160,000 visitors of all ages annually, including 15,000+ school children on field trips and 3,500+ member households. Its core offering is three floors of interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) exhibits organized around seven themes — including Tech Track, Sound Track, Fantastic Forces Courtyard, Speed Track, Light Track, Crawlers' Corner, Quiet Cave, Mountain View Terrace, Sky Garden, and the Innovation Workshop makerspace featuring tools ranging from hi-tech to no-tech with monthly themed activities.

MOXI operates a diversified revenue model with nine streams: general admission ($25 adults / $20 children, with EBT, teacher, and member waivers), tiered annual memberships ($115 Individual/Dual to $1,000+ Donor), NGSS-aligned school field trips ($10/student, $8 Title I) with add-on Engineering Exploration Labs, multi-day spring/summer camps for grades K-6, event venue rentals (Sky Garden capacity 200, full museum capacity 500) operated with Events by Rincon, a museum store, ticketed special events (Noon Year's Eve, MOXI@Night gala), corporate sponsorships, and an Innovator Circle annual giving program plus grants. Distribution mixes direct-to-consumer walk-in and online ticketing (Blackbaud platform), sales-led group and school reservations, and regional reciprocity through the ASTC Passport Program covering 350+ museums. Corporate and institutional partners include Bank of America, Cox, Sonos, Deckers, Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, ExxonMobil, Southern California Edison, Montecito Bank & Trust, UCSB, SBCC, and the City of Santa Barbara.

The institution is governed by a board of directors with a 36-person staff and operates 363 days per year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Its mission is to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity, with accessibility programs (sensory backpacks, Quiet Cave, Mamava lactation pod, EBT Museums for All pricing) and teen leadership pathways (CIT, Jr. CIT, Maker Corps, KMAC advisory committee) extending its community footprint. Geographic focus is Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties with no global footprint claim, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Legal name

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Website

https://moxi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MOXI is a Santa Barbara-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on science museum serving 160,000+ annual visitors across three floors of interactive STEAM exhibits, an Innovation Workshop makerspace, NGSS-aligned field trips, camps, and event rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAD

Science & Technology Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYTHAJADAE

Children’s Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYTHAHAAAG

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• STEAM education programs
• Interactive learning center
• Museum venue rentals
• School field trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Per-visit ticket sales for museum entry. Adults 13+ $25, Children 2-12 $20, Infants under 2 free. Revenue from walk-in and advance online ticket purchases.
2. Annual Memberships: Recurring annual membership fees with tiers from $115 (Individual/Dual) to $1000+ (Donor). Includes free admission, member-only hours, store discounts, and ASTC Passport Program access at Family level and above. Auto-renewal available.
3. Field Trip Programs: School field trip revenue at $10/student for all schools, $8/student for Title I schools. Add-on Engineering Exploration Labs at $10/student. Additional chaperones $18 each beyond free ratio.
4. Camps: Multi-day camp programs for grades K-6 including spring break and summer camps. Pricing at $20/student total or $16/student for Title I schools with Engineering Exploration Lab add-on.
5. Event Rentals: Facility rental revenue from Sky Garden (capacity 200) and Full Museum rentals (capacity 500). Includes wedding ceremonies, receptions, corporate events, and private celebrations. Revenue supports nonprofit educational mission.
6. Museum Store: Retail sales of science kits, STEM toys, maker tools, puzzles, and sun-themed toys. Members receive 15% discount. All purchases support STEAM education programs.
7. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and partner investments providing revenue and operational support. Includes recognition opportunities, employee engagement, and community access partnerships. Partners include Bank of America, Cox, Deckers, Sonos, Montecito Bank & Trust, and others.
8. Donations and Grants: Charitable contributions through Innovator Circle annual fund ($1000-$10000+), general donations, Send a Kid to Camp scholarships, and grant funding from organizations like Santa Barbara Community Arts Grant Program. MOXI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
9. Special Events: Revenue from special ticketed events including Noon Year's Eve celebration (member tickets: Adults $25/Children $20, General: Adults $30/Children $25) and MOXI@Night gala fundraising event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

MOXI operates a hands-on science museum across three floors of interactive STEAM exhibits, complemented by educational programs (field trips, camps, toddler programming) and event venue rentals. The museum features 17,000 square feet of permanent exhibits plus the Innovation Workshop makerspace, and serves both consumer visitors and B2B clients including school groups, corporate event hosts, and corporate sponsors.

Product overview

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is a science museum offering a unified hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) experience across three floors of interactive exhibits including Tech Track, Sound Track, Fantastic Forces Courtyard, Speed Track, Light Track, and the Innovation Workshop makerspace. The museum complements its permanent exhibits with educational programs including field trips, Engineering Exploration Labs, summer camps, and Toddler Tuesdays. Additional offerings include private event venue rentals (Sky Garden rooftop and full museum), birthday parties, teen leadership programs, and a Kids Museum Advisory Committee. The museum operates with tiered memberships, an Innovator Circle annual giving program, and corporate partnership sponsorships. MOXI also provides at-home STEAM activities through its MOXI at Home program and operates a Museum Store selling science kits and STEM toys.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission - Interactive STEAM Exhibits Three floors of interactive STEAM exhibits organized around science, technology, engineering, arts, and math themes. Includes permanent exhibits Tech Track, Sound Track, Fantastic Forces Courtyard, Speed Track, Light Track, Crawlers' Corner, Quiet Cave, Mountain View Terrace, Sky Garden rooftop, and the Innovation Workshop makerspace. For general visitors of all ages with timed-entry ticketing ($25 adults 13+, $20 children 2-12, free for infants under 2 and members).
• Field Trips with Engineering Exploration Labs Guided and self-guided educational field trips for Pre-K through 12th grade school groups from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Self-guided visits cost $10/student ($8/student for Title I schools). Add-on Engineering Exploration Labs at $10/student cover themes including Home Tweet Home (K-2), Riding the Rising Air (K-2), Harnessing the Wind (3-5), Drop It! (6-8), and From Spin to Spark (3-5). 90-minute visits with max 120 students per field trip and 23 students per lab session.
• MOXI Summer and Spring Break Camps Multi-day hands-on science and engineering camp programs for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Themes include Intergalactic Innovators, Superhero Science, Makers Market, Systems Unknown, and Super Messy Science. Pricing at $20/student total for field trip + engineering lab, $16/student for Title I schools. Maximum 18 campers per session with waitlist management for sold-out sessions.
• Toddler Tuesdays Weekly Tuesday morning program (9 AM - 12 PM) for toddlers featuring rotating monthly themes (Light, Motion, Touch, Sound, Math, Shape), special activities, and exhibit modifications for young children. Developed in partnership with UCSB, SBCC, and Help Me Grow Santa Barbara County. For children ages 0-5 with caregivers.
• Birthday Parties

Quantifiable outcome

• 160,000+ visitors of all ages annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Events by RinconcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFull-service event planning partnership for weddings and private events at MOXI. Events by Rincon handles event planning, food and beverage service, and coordination with the museum venue. Partnership provides seamless experience for couples and event hosts from planning through execution.
• UCSB (University of California Santa Barbara)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for Toddler Tuesdays programming. UCSB students and researchers design and facilitate activities for toddlers based on scientific research. Supports MOXI's early childhood education mission with academic rigor and student engagement.
• SBCC (Santa Barbara City College)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partnership for Toddler Tuesdays programming. SBCC students participate in designing activities for toddlers, supporting MOXI's early childhood education initiatives.
• Cox CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Innovation Workshop makerspace. Cox Communications provides ongoing support enabling the makerspace to offer monthly themed activities and maker programming for museum guests.
• Help Me Grow Santa Barbara CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner joining Toddler Tuesdays to facilitate activities related to early childhood development. Help Me Grow provides free programs and services for children ages 2 months to 5 years.
• Bank of America (Museums On Us)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of America cardholders enjoy free general admission during the first full weekend of every month at MOXI and 225+ other cultural institutions across the United States.
• ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMOXI participates in ASTC Travel Passport Program, enabling members at Family level and above free admission to 350+ science centers and museums nationwide. Must be 90+ miles from both MOXI and member's residence.
• Santa Barbara SymphonyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Noon Year's Eve event. Symphony representatives demonstrate and allow children to try instruments during the celebration.
• World Dance for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Noon Year's Eve event providing dance entertainment during rooftop dance party.
• Ice in ParadiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Noon Year's Eve event teaching children to sock skate at the Seaside Sock Skating rink.
• City of Santa BarbaracoreOthers50-year lease agreement with City of Santa Barbara for museum building on lower State Street. City also provides Community Arts Grant Program funding. MOXI building is first LEED Gold certified museum in Santa Barbara County.
• 1% for the PlanetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOXI is certified by 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses and nonprofits dedicated to climate change education, sustainable business practices, and environmental protection.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based nonprofit science center with interactive exhibits, IMAX theater, camps, and field trip programs; comparable scale and mission to MOXI as a regional STEAM museum serving families and schools.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based hands-on science museum known for interactive exhibits and inquiry-based learning; the closest conceptual peer to MOXI given shared focus on experiential STEAM exhibits rather than artifact display.
• Liberty Science Center: New Jersey-based nonprofit science center with hands-on STEAM exhibits, maker spaces, and robust K-12 field trip offerings; comparable in operating model, revenue diversification, and educational mission.
• The Tech Interactive: San Jose science and technology center with hands-on STEAM exhibits, school field trip programs, and a maker/innovation lab; directly comparable to MOXI in audience (families and K-12) and programming model.
• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry): Portland-based nonprofit science museum offering hands-on exhibits, school programs, camps, and a museum store; closely comparable operating model, revenue mix, and educational mission to MOXI.

Regional players

• Science World British Columbia: Vancouver-based science center with interactive exhibits, OMNIMAX theater, and school programs; comparable operating model and family STEAM focus, but operates in a different geography and currency environment than MOXI.
• Discovery Cube: Southern California science center with locations in Santa Ana and Los Angeles featuring interactive STEAM exhibits and school programs; competes for regional family audiences and school field trips within driving distance of Santa Barbara.
• Arizona Science Center: Phoenix-based science center with interactive exhibits, planetarium, camps, and school programs; operates a comparable revenue mix (admissions, memberships, camps, store) and serves a similar family/educator audience.

Broad incumbents

• California Science Center: Los Angeles state-operated science center with permanent and rotating exhibits, an IMAX theater, and large-scale school programs; much larger than MOXI but broadly comparable as a hands-on STEAM destination in California.

Emerging players

• Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: San Jose children's museum with hands-on exhibits and maker programming for early learners and families; comparable to MOXI's toddler and family programming rather than its pure science museum identity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/moxisb
• YouTubevimeo.com/moxisb
• Facebookfacebook.com/MOXIsb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/moxi-the-wolf-museum-of-exploration-innovation
• Instagraminstagram.com/moxisb
• TikToktiktok.com/@moxi_sb

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation